Multi-Configuration Jewelry Piece

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a multi-configuration jewelry piece. The multi-configuration jewelry piece has a band with a first end and a second end, a first housing, and a second housing. The first housing couples to the first end. The second housing couples to the second end. Each of the first housing and the second housing define a cavity. The cavity houses a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnets and the second magnets are configured to join the first housing to the second housing. Each of the first magnet and the second magnet has a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet face a first direction. The south pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet face a second direction opposite the first direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/875,896 filed on Jul. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a jewelry piece, and, moreparticularly, to a jewelry piece to provide for multi-configuration useapplications.

BACKGROUND

In the jewelry industry, there are various types of banded jewelry, suchas bracelets and necklaces. Even though banded jewelry is worn as aneveryday accessory, banded jewelry is typically only worn for aestheticpurposes without any other configurations or uses. This prompts the needfor a jewelry piece that is aesthetically pleasing and hasmulti-configuration use applications.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a multi-configuration jewelry piece whichovercomes the deficiencies described above, and has other advantages.

In one embodiment, a multi-configuration jewelry piece is provided. Thejewelry piece includes a band with a first end and a second end, a firsthousing, and a second housing. The first housing couples to the firstend. The second housing couples to the second end. Each of the firsthousing and the second housing have a cavity defined by a top wall, asidewall, and a bottom wall. The top wall and the bottom wall secure tothe sidewall. The cavity houses a first magnet and a second magnetconfigured to join the first housing to the second housing. Each of thefirst magnet and the second magnet have a north pole and a south pole.The north pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the secondmagnet are adjacent to the top wall. The south pole of the first magnetand the north pole of the second magnet are adjacent to the bottom wall.

In another embodiment, a multi-configuration jewelry piece is provided.The jewelry piece has a band with a first end and a second end, a firsthousing, and a second housing. The first housing couples to the firstend and defines a first cavity. The second housing couples to the secondend and defines a second cavity. Each of the first cavity and the secondcavity house a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnets andthe second magnets are configured to join the first housing to thesecond housing. Each of the first magnet and the second magnet have anorth pole and a south pole. The north pole of the first magnet and thesouth pole of the second magnet face a first direction. The south poleof the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet face asecond direction opposite the first direction.

In an additional embodiment, a multi-configuration jewelry piece isprovided. The jewelry piece has a band with a first end and a secondend, a first housing, and a second housing. The first housing couples tothe first end and defines a first cavity. The second housing couples tothe second end and defines a second cavity. Each of the first cavity andthe second cavity house a first magnet and a second magnet. The firstmagnets and the second magnets are configured to join the first housingto the second housing. The orientation of the first magnet and thesecond magnet of the first cavity and the orientation of the firstmagnet and the second magnet of the second cavity create magneticattraction when the first housing is near the second housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included with this application illustrate certain aspectsof the embodiments described herein. However, the drawings should not beviewed as exclusive embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece with lobsterclasps in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the housing in FIG. 3 in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the housing in FIG. 3 in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a first housing joined to a second housing inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a side view of a first housing joined to a second housing inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece with bandstapered to a point in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece withmultiple bands in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure

FIG. 8 is a front view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces used asa belt in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure

FIG. 9 is a top side view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces usedas an overlapping bracelet in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of two multi-configuration jewelrypieces used as a necklace in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces eachused as an individual earring in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a back perspective view of a multi-configuration jewelrypiece with the band removed such that the housings can be used asearring attachments in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a multi-configuration jewelry piecesuitable for multiple applications. The disclosure may be understoodmore readily by reference to these detailed descriptions. For simplicityand clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals maybe repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding oranalogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodimentsdescribed herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures,and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe related relevant feature being described. Also, the description isnot to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments describedherein.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certainparts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features ofthe present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a multi-configuration jewelry piece isillustrated and generally designated by the numeral 10.Multi-configuration jewelry piece 10 is shown only in top view by theFIGS. because the bottom views are of mirror images of the top views. Asshown by the figures, the general form of jewelry piece 10 includes aband 20, a first housing 30, a second housing 40, two or more magnets50, and connectors 60. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, jewelrypiece 10 includes more than one band 20.

Band 20 includes a first end 22 and a second end 24. In someembodiments, first end 22 and second end 24 are squared-off, i.e. ends22, 24 are perpendicular to the length of band 20. In other embodiments,as shown in FIG. 6, first end 22 and second end 24 taper to a point. Insome embodiments, band 20 is removeable and replaceable. Suchembodiments allow for interchangeability of band 20 for functionalitypurposes and/or aesthetic purposes. For example, for functionalitypurposes, as shown in FIG. 12, band 20 is removed from jewelry piece 10such that first housing 30 and second housing 40 can be affixed to theear of a user 70. Once affixed, the hoop portion of first housing 30 isused to attach a standard earring 72. In additional configurations, foraesthetic purposes, band 20 is removed and replaced with a differentband 20 made of a different material and/or having a different color.

Band 20 is comprised of a pliable material. For example, in someembodiments, band 20 is sterling silver, copper, brass, plastic, rubber,fabric cord, or silicone. However, one skilled in the art understandsthat band 20 may be manufactured from a number of different types ofdurable and pliable material. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1,5A, 6, 9, 10, and 11, band 20 may be a braided or crocheted material.

First housing 30 couples to first end 22. Second housing 40 couples tosecond end 24. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, first housing 30 andsecond housing 40 each include a top wall 32, 42, a sidewall 34, 44, anda bottom wall 36, 46. Top walls 32, 42 and bottom walls 36, 46 secure tosidewalls 34, 44 through methods known to those skilled in the art. Forexample, top walls 32, 42 and bottom walls 36, 46 can be glued orsoldered to sidewalls 34, 44. Top walls 32, 42, sidewalls 34, 44, andbottom walls 36, 46 define a cavity 38, 48. Cavity 38, 48 house at leasttwo magnets 50.

Magnets 50 allow for joining of first housing 30 to second housing 40.Magnets 50 each have a north pole 52 and a south pole 54. Theorientation and number of magnets 50 in each housing 30, 40 may bevaried. The sole requirement with regard to the orientation of magnets50 in each housing 30, 40 being the creation of magnetic attraction whenhousing 30 is placed next to or along side of housing 40.

In most embodiments, each cavity 38, 48 of housing 30, 40 houses twomagnets 50. In housing 30, one magnet 50 housed in cavity 38 has northpole 52 facing a first direction while the other magnet 50 housed incavity 48 has south pole 54 facing the first direction. To provide formagnet attraction between housings 30 and 40, housing 40 also has twomagnets 50 in cavity 48. One magnet 50 has north pole 52 facing thefirst direction while the other magnet 50 in cavity 48 has south pole 54facing the second direction. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 5B when housings30 and 40 are placed over one another, at least one pair of opposingpoles of magnets 50 in separate housings 30 and 40 align to provide formagnetic attraction. For example, one magnet 50 housed within eachcavity 38, 48 has north pole 52 adjacent to top walls 32, 42 of housings30, 40 and the south pole 54 adjacent to bottom walls 36, 46 of housings30, 40. The other magnet 50 housed within each cavity 38, 48 has southpole 54 adjacent to top walls 32, 42 of housings 30, 40 and north pole52 adjacent to bottom walls 36, 46 of housings 30, 40. Having a northpole 52 and a south pole 54 adjacent to top walls 32, 42 of housings 30,40 allows for a number of various uses of multi-configuration jewelrypiece 10 and for quicker and easier joining of first housing 30 tosecond housing 40. The quicker and easier affixation allows formulti-configuration use applications of band 20.

Connectors 60 couple first housing 30 to first end 22 and second housing40 to second end 24. Connectors 60 may be any number of couplingmechanisms known to those skilled in the art. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1, 5A, and 8, connectors 60 are split ring clasps. As shown inFIGS. 2, 5B, and 7, connectors 60 are lobster clasps. As shown in FIGS.6, 9, 10, and 11, connectors 60 are ring and hoops. Other examples ofsuitable connectors 60 include hook and eye clasps and spring ringclasps.

The configuration of jewelry piece 10 allows for various applications.For example, FIG. 8 shows two jewelry pieces 10 configured as a belt onuser 70. FIG. 9 shows two jewelry pieces 10 configured as amulti-layered bracelet on user 70. FIG. 10 shows two jewelry pieces 10configured as a necklace on user 70. FIG. 11 shows two jewelry pieces 10configured as earrings on user 70 where one jewelry piece 10 is theright earring and one jewelry piece 10 is the left earring. FIG. 12shows band 20 removed from jewelry piece 10 such that first housing 30and second housing 40 can be affixed to the ear of user 70 and standardearring 72 attached to the hoop coupling of first housing 30. In otherembodiments, not shown, multi-configuration jewelry piece 10 isconfigured on user 70 as a dress clip, hair clip, curtain clip, sleeveclip, hat clip, sunglass clip, halter top clip, sari clip, muumuu clip,scarf clip, bracelet, necklace, choker, earrings, anklet, thigh/garterbelt, arm band, wristband, mask closure, costume closure, tie clip, cufflink, table cloth clip/weight, chip clip, ponytail holder, eyeglassholder, drink charm, belt, hand cuffs, fridge magnet, ID badge holder,paperweight, paper clips, headphone holders, earbuds, phone holders,watchband, t-shirt clip, purse charm, key chain, charm bracelet,shoelaces, shoe closure, headband, bib closure, onesie closure, pacifierclip, blanket clip, cummerbund closure, bow tie closure, glove clip,backpack clip, swimsuit closure, coat/jacket closure, or hair bows.

Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends andadvantages mentioned, as well as those that are inherent therein. Theparticular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as thepresent disclosure may be modified and practiced in different butequivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design herein shown, otherthan as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that theparticular illustrative examples disclosed above may be altered ormodified, and all such variations are considered within the scope andspirit of the present disclosure. While apparatus and methods may bedescribed in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” “having,” or“including” various components or steps, the apparatus and methods canalso, in some examples, “consist essentially of” or “consist of” thevarious components and steps. Also, the terms in the claims have theirplain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly definedby the specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-configuration jewelry piece comprising: aband having a first end and a second end; a first housing coupled to thefirst end and a second housing coupled to the second end, each of thefirst housing and the second housing having a cavity defined by a topwall, a sidewall, and a bottom wall, wherein the top wall and the bottomwall are secured to the sidewall; and wherein the cavity houses a firstmagnet and a second magnet configured to join the first housing to thesecond housing, each of the first magnet and the second magnet having anorth pole and a south pole, wherein, in the first housing, the northpole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet areadjacent to the top wall, and, in the second housing, the south pole ofthe first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet are adjacent tothe bottom wall.
 2. The multi-configuration jewelry piece of claim 1,wherein the band, the first housing, and the second housing arecomprised of a material selected from the group consisting of sterlingsilver, copper, brass, plastic, rubber, fabric cord, and silicone. 3.The multi-configuration jewelry piece of claim 1, wherein the firsthousing is coupled to the first end and the second housing is coupled tothe second end with a clasp selected from the group consisting of a hookand eye clasp, a split ring clasp, a lobster clasp, and a spring ringclasp.
 4. The multi-configuration jewelry piece of claim 1, wherein theband tapers to a point at each of the first end and the second end. 5.The multi-configuration jewelry piece of claim 1, wherein the band iscrocheted.
 6. The multi-configuration jewelry piece of claim 1, whereinthe band is removeable and replaceable.
 7. The multi-configurationjewelry piece of claim 1, wherein the band is removeable such that thefirst housing and the second housing are configured to attach to an earas an earring attachment.
 8. A multi-configuration jewelry piececomprising: a band having a first end and a second end; a first housingcoupled to the first end, the first housing defining a first cavity; asecond housing coupled to the second end, the second housing defining asecond cavity; and each of the first cavity and the second cavityhousing a first magnet and a second magnet configured to join the firsthousing to the second housing, each of the first magnet and the secondmagnet having a north pole and a south pole, wherein, in the firsthousing, the north pole of the first magnet and the south pole of thesecond magnet face a first direction, and, in the second housing, thesouth pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnetface a second direction opposite the first direction.
 9. Themulti-configuration jewelry piece of claim 8, wherein the band, thefirst housing, and the second housing are comprised of a materialselected from the group consisting of sterling silver, copper, brass,plastic, rubber, fabric cord, and silicone.
 10. The multi-configurationjewelry piece of claim 8, wherein the first housing is coupled to thefirst end and the second housing is coupled to the second end with aclasp selected from the group consisting of a hook and eye clasp, asplit ring clasp, a lobster clasp, and a spring ring clasp.
 11. Themulti-configuration jewelry piece of claim 8, wherein the band tapers toa point at each of the first end and the second end.
 12. Themulti-configuration jewelry piece of claim 8, wherein the band iscrocheted.
 13. The multi-configuration jewelry piece of claim 8, whereinthe band is removeable and replaceable.
 14. The multi-configurationjewelry piece of claim 8, wherein the band is removeable such that thefirst housing and the second housing are configured to attach to an earas an earring attachment.
 15. A multi-configuration jewelry piececomprising: a band having a first end and a second end; a first housingcoupled to the first end, the first housing defining a first cavity; asecond housing coupled to the second end, the second housing defining asecond cavity; and each of the first cavity and the second cavityhousing a first magnet and a second magnet configured to join the firsthousing to the second housing, wherein the orientation of the firstmagnet and the second magnet of the first cavity and orientation of thefirst magnet and the second magnet of the second cavity create magneticattraction when the first housing is near the second housing.
 16. Themulti-configuration jewelry piece of claim 15, wherein the band, thefirst housing, and the second housing are comprised of a materialselected from the group consisting of sterling silver, copper, brass,plastic, rubber, fabric cord, and silicone.
 17. The multi-configurationjewelry piece of claim 15, wherein the first housing is coupled to thefirst end and the second housing is coupled to the second end with aclasp selected from the group consisting of a hook and eye clasp, asplit ring clasp, a lobster clasp, and a spring ring clasp.
 18. Themulti-configuration jewelry piece of claim 15, wherein the band tapersto a point at each of the first end and the second end.
 19. Themulti-configuration jewelry piece of claim 15, wherein the band isremoveable and replaceable.
 20. The multi-configuration jewelry piece ofclaim 15, wherein the band is removeable such that the first housing andthe second housing are configured to attach to an ear as an earringattachment.